Great information and advice Tiger Lily - all you said is critical to making the transition. Most important thing you reinforced is how imperative it is to have long stays before trying to make the move. Copper please try to do this and as Tiger suggested at LEAST a month at a time in different seasons. Having a job is a BIG accomplishment so you employer should be helpful to you. Let me know if I can help w/budgeting. My longest stay was only 4 mths though. When you go in Oct i highly recommend seeking out others who live there to get advice.